PHILADELPHIA - Their names don't show up on the Walter Payton Award list, and few media members or sports information directors will promote team before the star quarterback or running back. The players on the offensive line, defense and special teams might not receive as much attention now, but plenty of dominating players and potential NFL prospects play at the less-heralded positions on the field. Appalachian State and Cal Poly lead the way with a crop of talented players on the offensive line and defense, but an array of schools and conferences from around the country can lay claim to some of the best players at the "non-skill" positions. Below is a list of the top returning I-AA players at each position, with the exception of quarterback, running back, and wide receiver (as well as tight end and fullback), which have already been evaluated. The number of players listed at each spot differs, with five players ranked at positions with one player (center, kicker, punter, return specialist), 10 at positions with two players on the field (offensive guard, offensive tackle, defensive end, defensive tackle, cornerback and safety) and 20 players ranked at linebacker. Centers 1. Ryan Jewell, Youngstown State (Sr., 6-4, 295) - The first-team All-Gateway selection has 28 career starts at center and paved the way for a Youngstown State offense that averaged 192 yards per game on the ground. 2. Alex Miller, Massachusetts (Sr., 6-2, 300) - Miller was a first-team Atlantic 10 selection in 2005, and has earned the starting center nod for Massachusetts in every game of his career. 3. Will Justice, Southern Illinois (Sr., 6-4, 290) - Justice moved from guard to center during the 2005 season and earned first-team All-Gateway honors as the Salukis amassed more than 400 yards per game. 4. Lance Wayne, Georgia Southern (Sr., 6-2, 285) - Wayne has held the starting position since his freshman season, and will get to show diversity by blocking in a more balanced offense in 2006. 5. Stephen Field, Cal Poly (So., 6-1, 280) - Field earned All-Great West honors as a freshman and should fit in nicely over the next three years with the young Cal Poly offensive stars. Mid-Major: Jordan PaoPao, San Diego. Guards 1. Brennan Carvalho, Portland State (Jr., 6-1, 310) - After starting as a true freshman in 2004, Carvalho earned first-team All-Big Sky honors as he started all 11 games at left guard and helped the Portland State offense lead the conference in rushing and sacks allowed. 2. Matt Alfred, Eastern Washington (Jr., 6-3, 290) - Alfred has started at guard or tackle in the Eagles' last 22 games and garnered first-team All- America honors as the Eagles racked up 477.8 yards of total offense a year ago. 3. Jon Reuter, Eastern Illinois (Sr., 6-4, 285) - Reuter has solidified his spot at right guard after three years as the starter, and earned first-team All-OVC recognition with a strong 2005 season. 4. Cody Morris , William & Mary (Sr., 6-4, 285) - Morris was moved to center during the spring, but can play either position and has earned a pair of All- Atlantic 10 nods while playing guard. 5. Kerry Brown, Appalachian State (Jr., 6-6, 285) - Brown earned the starting position at left guard as a freshman, and came through with a huge season to earn first-team All-Southern Conference honors and lead the Mountaineers to the national title in 2005. 6. Tucker Peterson, New Hampshire (Sr., 6-3, 300) - As a two-year starter at left guard, Peterson has been a key cog in the offensive success for the Wildcats and was named to the Atlantic 10 third-team offense. 7. Ben Gombossy, Nicholls State (Jr., 6-1, 280) - Gombossy performed well on a talented offensive line that helped the Colonels to 365 rushing yards per game and the Southland Conference championship. 8. Justin Buckwalter, North Dakota State (Sr., 6-4, 315) - Buckwalter has aided the potent Bison running game by starting the last 27 games at right guard. 9. Brant Birkeland, Montana State (Sr., 6-2, 270) - Birkeland will play a key role at left guard on a Montana State line that could be blocking for the running game more often without Travis Lulay. 10. Ryne Miller, Texas State (Sr., 6-4, 310) - Miller has starting experience at center, both guard spots and right tackle over the last two seasons, but the versatile lineman is penciled in at left guard in 2006. Mid-Major: Dave Pammer, Drake; Bill Holter, St. Francis (PA). Tackles 1. Ed McCarthy, Yale (Sr., 6-5, 302) - McCarthy has 30 straight starts, with one season starting at each position on the line. He earned first-team All-Ivy status at left tackle a year ago. 2. Matt Isenhour, Appalachian State (Sr., 6-1, 275) - Isenhour won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the Southern Conference's best offensive lineman and earned second-team All-America recognition as the Mountaineers were proficient on the ground and through the air. 3. Chad Rinehart, UNI (Jr., 6-5, 300) - Rinehart was a first-team All-Gateway pick that started all 15 games to boost a solid UNI offense in a run to the national championship game. 4. Corey Davis, James Madison (Sr., 6-4, 325) - After playing a huge part in a dominating offensive line when the Dukes won the title in 2004, Davis came back with a very strong 2005 campaign to earn a second-team All-Atlantic 10 nod. 5. Rocky Hanni, Eastern Washington (Jr., 6-5, 290) - Hanni moved from tackle to guard as a sophomore, but moves back to the tackle spot this year and should keep adding to his run of starting every game in his career. 6. Jacob Bender, Nicholls State (Sr., 6-6, 305) - Bender built on a strong 2004 campaign by earning first-team All-Southland honors as the Colonels racked up 365 rushing yards per game. 7. Sean Dumford, Eastern Kentucky (Jr., 6-5, 295) - Eastern Kentucky featured a potent passing game and a capable complimentary running attack, and Dumford was a big part of the success as he started all season and earned a first-team All- OVC nod at tackle. 8. Mike Saint Germain, Lafayette (Sr., 6-5, 290) - Saint Germain held the Lafayette line together by being the only player to start in every game, and earned first-team All-Patriot recognition as the Leopards averaged 366 yards per game. 9. Joe Hirst, Montana State (Sr., 6-7, 295) - Hirst has battled injuries throughout his career, but stayed healthy a year ago to earn second-team All- Big Sky recognition and is the top returning player on a annually strong Bobcat offensive line. 10. Clyde Reed, South Carolina State (Sr., 6-6, 305) - Reed helped spring the Bulldogs to a huge season on the ground and earned first-team All-MEAC honors last season. Mid-Major: Jacob Anderson, Albany; Reis Rosenbledt, San Diego. Defensive Tackles 1. Tory Collins, Northwestern State (Sr., 6-3, 280) - The anchor of a usually stout Demon run defense, Collins set career highs with 59 tackles and 14 stops for a loss in 2005, and has 147 tackles in a stellar three-year career. 2. Chris White, Cal Poly (Sr., 6-3, 275) - White was an integral part of a Cal Poly defense that led the nation in sacks by notching 10.5 sacks to go along with 42 tackles and 15 stops for a loss. 3. Kendal Langford, Hampton (Jr., 6-6, 280) - Hampton held its opponents to 3.4 yards per carry and only 271 total yards per game a year ago, and Langford was a big part of the success with 65 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks while manning the middle of the defensive line. 4. Mike DeVito, Maine (Sr., 6-3, 290) - DeVito enters his third season as the starter at nose tackle for the Black Bears, and comes off a career season of 34 tackles and 6.5 sacks. 5. Mark Cristiani, Eastern Kentucky (Sr., 5-11, 275) - Cristiani turned in a big season with 37 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks to earn first-team All-OVC recognition. 6. Mike Berg, Harvard (Sr., 6-2, 260) - Berg notched 38 tackles and nine tackles for a loss in 2005, and was even better with six sacks and 15 stops behind the line two years ago. 7. Kevin Lockhart, Alabama A & M (Sr., 6-1, 310) - Lockhart notched a solid season in 2005 (31 TT, 8 TFL, 6 sacks) after posting equally impressive campaigns as a freshman and sophomore. 8. Felipe Foster, Western Carolina (Sr., 6-2, 295) - Foster's numbers (21 tackles, two sacks) weren't extraordinary, but the shot put specialist has played an important role in a solid Catamount defense for the last three years. 9. John Faletoese, UC Davis (So., 6-2, 260) - Faletoese made the most of his freshman campaign with 30 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, four sacks and two blocked kicks for a dominating UC Davis defense. 10. Vaaylon Jackson, McNeese State (Jr., 6-0, 300) - After earning playing time as a true freshman in 2004, Jackson came of age with 31 tackles, 9.5 stops for a loss and five sacks in only nine games a year ago. Mid-Major: Michael Dungey, Albany; Lou Levine, Duquesne. Defensive End 1. Marques Murrell, Appalachian State (Sr., 6-2, 230) - Murrell was one part of I-AA's most imposing defensive end duo (with Jason Hunter), and the Buck Buchanan Award candidate made his presence felt with 82 tackles, 26.5 stops behind the line, 13 sacks and seven forced fumbles in Appalachian State's national title run. 2. Martin Jackson, Alcorn State (Sr., 6-4, 250) - Jackson was a breakout star and earned third-team All-America honors for the Braves with 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, 17 TFL and 52 tackles. 3. Mike Murphy, Montana (Sr., 6-3, 240) - Murphy tallied six sacks and five forced fumbles for a tough Grizzly defense, and has 108 tackles and 20.5 sacks in his career. 4. Tyrone McGriff, Florida A & M (Jr., 6-1, 220) - McGriff had an all-around strong year that included 72 tackles, 6.5 sacks and five forced fumbles for the Rattlers. 5. Roy Ravenell, Furman (Sr., 6-2, 270) - Ravenell had his best campaign in 2004 (75 TT, 11 TFL, 6.5 sacks) and came back with a solid 71-tackle season on a weaker defensive line a year ago. 6. Royce Morgan, Lehigh (Sr., 6-1, 255) - Back for a fifth year after receiving a medical redshirt, Morgan will look to add to career totals of 99 tackles and 17 sacks. 7. Kevin Winston, James Madison (Sr., 6-3, 230) - Winston performed well with the pressure on with two sacks and two forced fumbles in James Madison's 2004 championship run, and had his best individual season with 55 tackles and eight sacks last year. 8. Sherman Logan, Richmond (Jr., 6-4, 245) - Logan earned Atlantic 10 Defensive Rookie of the Year honors as he led the Spiders with 11 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss to go along with 54 tackles. 9. Alex Buzbee, Georgetown (Sr., 6-4, 225) - The Hoyas will have to compensate for the loss of star defensive end Michael Ononibaku, but Buzbee (22 career sacks, 6.5 sacks in 2005) should make a smooth transition as the top DE for the Hoyas. 10. Brian Johnston- Gardner-Webb (Jr., 6-6, 275) - Johnston paced the Gardner- Webb defense with an impressive season that included four forced fumbles, 12.5 tackles for a loss and 59 tackles. Mid-Major: Erik Bakhtiari, San Diego; Devon Douglass, Central Connecticut State. Linebacker 1. Chad Nkang, Elon (Sr., 6-1, 215) - Nkang was all over the field to rack up 152 tackles, 18.5 stops for a loss and five sacks while earning first-team All- America honors a year ago, and has 287 tackles in two seasons at linebacker. 2. Justin Durant, Hampton (Sr., 6-2, 225) - Durant was a first-team All- American and filled up the stat sheet with 124 tackles, 15 TFL and five sacks while leading a Hampton defense that ranked sixth nationally in yards allowed per game. 3. Clint Sellers, Eastern Illinois (Sr., 6-1, 220) - Eastern Illinois used an opportunistic defense to a playoff berth and an OVC title, and Sellers played a starring role by leading the team in tackles (121), TFL (13), and interceptions (5) to go along with three sacks. 4. Tyler Knight, Mississippi Valley State (Sr., 6-0, 210) - Knight was a second-team All-American and ranked in the top 15 nationally in tackles (125), tackles for a loss (17.5) and sacks (9). 5. Kyle Shotwell, Cal Poly (Sr., 6-1, 235) - Shotwell took over the linebacking position of 2004 Buck Buchanan Award winner Jordan Beck, and nearly matched Beck's production by totaling 158 tackles, 13.5 TFL and five sacks. 6. Cameron Siskowic, Illinois State (Sr., 6-2, 225) - Siskowic stepped in for departed three-year star Boomer Grigsby and kept the Redbird defense from losing a step by leading the Gateway Conference with 132 tackles and notching 14 TFL. 7. Gian Villante, Hofstra (Jr., 6-2, 220) - Villante missed the entire 2005 season with a knee injury, but should come back healthy this season after garnering first-team All-America honors with 129 tackles, 16.5 TFL and five sacks in 2004. 8. Zak DeOssie, Brown (Sr., 6-4, 240) - DeOssie suffered a season-ending injury with three games remaining, but he posted an impressive season with 80 tackles, 12.5 TFL and five sacks in only seven games. 9. John Mohring, Georgia Southern (Sr., 6-1, 215) - The Georgia Southern defense was inconsistent a year ago, but Mohring did all he could to keep the Eagles going with 112 tackles, 11 TFL and three interceptions. 10. Colin Disch, Albany (Jr., 6-1, 210) - A star linebacker from the moment he stepped on the field, Disch has 243 tackles and 30 TFL in two strong seasons for the Great Danes. 11. Jamar Leath Coastal Carolina (Sr., 6-2, 230) - Leath emerged as a top defensive player with a school-record 108 tackles, and came up huge with 15 tackles in Coastal Carolina's upset win against James Madison. 12. Pago Togafau, Idaho State (Sr.,5-10, 210) - Togafau looks to build on two solid seasons for the Bengals, as he tallied 103 stops in 2005 after recording 122 as a sophomore two years ago. 13. Cory Vavala, Nicholls State (Sr., 6-2, 225) - Vavala's season highlight was a clutch performance with an interception and forced fumble as Nicholls State knocked off Texas State, but he was also consistent all season with 85 tackles and four interceptions. 14. Adam Goloboski, Richmond (Sr., 6-0, 220) - Goloboski led the Spiders with 116 tackles in 2004, and led the way again with 131 tackles as Richmond advanced to the quarterfinals a year ago. 15. Andrew Jones, Furman (Jr., 5-11, 235) - Jones played alongside All-American William Freeman and was equally productive with 129 tackles, 13 TFL and three sacks in Furman's semifinal run. 16. Dan Adams, Holy Cross (Sr., 5-10, 215) - Adams led the nation with 91 solo tackles a year ago, and stepped up in big games with 21 stops against Colgate and 16 against Lafayette. 17. Trey Bennett, McNeese State (Jr., 6-1, 230) - Bennett made an impact as a true freshman in 2004, and followed it up with 42 solo stops and 61 tackles in just nine games a year ago. 18. Jada Ross, Charleston Southern (Jr., 5-11, 220) - In just two seasons, Ross has already totaled 194 tackles (128 in 2005) and become a key component in an improving Charleston Southern program. 19. Jeremy Castillo, Texas State (Sr., 5-11, 220) - Castillo led semifinalist Texas State in tackles for the second year in a row, with 95 tackles, 13 TFL and 4.5 sacks for the season. 20. Marcus Taylor, Fordham (Sr., 6-1, 220) - Taylor, back for a fifth season, had 120 tackles and six tackles for a loss to lead the Ram defense in 2005. Mid-Major: Disch; Jimmy Adams, Drake; John Hoppe, Dayton; Kyson Hawkins, San Diego. Defensive Backs Cornerback 1. Codera Jackson, Youngstown State (Sr., 5-10, 180) - A transfer from Alfred State, Jackson made the most of his first season with the Penguins by earning second-team All-America honors with six interceptions, including one return for a touchdown, and 50 tackles. 2. Courtney Brown, Cal Poly (Sr., 6-2, 205) - After suffering a season-ending injury in the season opener two years ago, Brown came back in style with seven interceptions and 12 pass breakups for a Cal Poly defense that picked off 17 passes. 3. Dominic Dixon, Portland State (Sr., 5-10, 195) - With consecutive nods to the Big Sky All-Conference team, Dixon has emerged as one of the top cover corners in I-AA football and filled the stat sheet with 53 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions a year ago. 4. Corey Graham, New Hampshire (Sr., 6-0, 190) - New Hampshire led the nation with 24 interceptions, and Graham was the star of the secondary with three interceptions while breaking the 100-tackle mark for the second year in a row. 5. Dre Dokes, UNI (Sr., 5-9, 160) - Dokes has 11 career interceptions for the Panthers, and notched a career-high 68 tackles in UNI's run to the title game in 2005. 6. Walter Musgrove, Texas State (Sr., 5-9, 190) - Musgrove endured a season- ending injury to miss the 2005 postseason and was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in the offseason, but he should be ready to go in the fall and leads a talented Bobcat secondary after recording 49 tackles last season. 7. Travarous Bain, Hampton (Sr., 6-0, 190) - A Miami (FL) transfer, Bain had 13 pass breakups and 28 tackles as the top cover corner for a talented Hampton defense. 8. Nevan Bergan, UC Davis (Sr., 5-11, 170) - Bergan had limited playing time in his first two campaigns, but compiled a breakout season with seven interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2005. 9. Ben Brown, Eastern Illinois (Sr., 6-0, 170) - Brown started as a true freshman in 2003, and had a monster season with five interceptions and 16 pass breakups in 2004. 10. Daren Stone, Maine (Sr., 6-3, 215) - Stone made a successful move from safety to corner with five interceptions and 41 tackles a year ago. Mid-Major: Casey Klaus, Dayton; Al Phillips, Wagner. Safeties 1. Tony LeZotte, James Madison (Jr., 6-0, 200) - LeZotte has been a star since he set foot on the field at James Madison, and was a first-team All-American with 95 tackles as a sophomore after recording 144 stops in JMU's 2004 title run. 2. Corey Lynch, Appalachian State (Jr., 6-0, 200) - Lynch missed the 2004 season with an elbow injury, but bookended that season with six interceptions as a freshman and six picks to go with 92 tackles as a leader on Appalachian State's defense a year ago. 3. Tristan Burge, Eastern Illinois (Sr., 6-0, 200) - Burge made big plays all season for an opportunistic Panther defense, and received second-team All- America recognition with 86 tackles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries. 4. Keldrick Holman, Stephen F. Austin (Sr., 6-0, 195) - Holman was the bright spot of the Lumberjack defense with six interceptions, nine pass breakups and 82 tackles. 5. Russ Washington, Northwestern State (Sr., 5-9, 185) - Washington has manned the safety spot with good results for three seasons, with at least 70 tackles in each campaign and 86 stops with four interceptions in a career year in 2004. 6. Kenny Chicione, Cal Poly (Sr., 6-1, 205) - Chicione notched five interceptions and 70 tackles a year ago, and leads all returning players with 15 career interceptions. 7. Jeremy Wiggins, Appalachian State (Sr., 5-9, 190) - Wiggins has been a tackling giant at Appalachian State, leading the team in stops in 2005 (134) and as a freshman in 2003 (90) while placing second with 84 tackles in 2004. 8. Geoff Bean, Colgate (Sr., 6-0, 200) - Bean was an all over the field playmaker for the Colgate defense with 68 tackles, six tackles for a loss, four sacks and two interceptions. 9. Bobbie Williams, Bethune-Cookman (Jr.,6-0, 190) - Williams ranked third in the nation with six interceptions, and is a defensive leader for a young and improving Wildcat team. 10. Tad Crawford, Columbia (Sr., 6-3, 195) - Crawford has led the Lions in tackles for the past two seasons, and totaled an Ivy League high 111 stops a year ago. Mid-Major: Nigel Monge, Central Connecticut State, Michael Hill, Duquesne. Kickers 1. Chris James, Western Kentucky (Jr., 6-1, 185) - James nailed 15-of-17 field goals and all 42 extra points, and showed a knack to come through in the clutch with last-second winning or tying kicks against Eastern Kentucky and Illinois State. 2. Rob Zarilli, Hofstra (Jr., 6-0, 190) - A transfer from Louisville, Zarilli made 17-of-19 field goals, including 5-6 from beyond 40 yards, in his first season with the Pride. 3. Brian Wingert, Northern Iowa (Sr., 6-1, 185) - Wingert hit on 16-of-23 field goals, and set the I-AA national championship game record with a 50-yard field goal. 4. Andrew Paterini, Hampton (Sr., 6-0, 195) - Paterini goes into his fourth season as the Pirate placekicker after leading all I-AA kickers with 104 points a year ago. 5. Jeff Hastings, Montana State (Sr., 5-9, 180) - Hastings connected on 16- of-21 field goal attempts, and endeared himself to Bobcat fans by nailing three kicks in a 16-6 win against Montana. Mid-Major: Brad Rowe, Marist. Return Specialists 1. Craig Turner, Southern Illinois (Jr., 5-10, 190) - An explosive running back that moves to defensive back in 2006, Turner averaged nearly 15 yards on punt returns and 22 on kick returns, and scored a touchdown in each manner. 2. Shamen Washington, North Dakota State (Jr., 5-6, 150) - Washington notched nearly 22.5 yards per kick return, and scored twice while tallying nearly 14 yards per punt return. 3. Nick Feldman, Morehead State (So., 5-9, 175) - Feldman earned third-team All-America recognition as a freshman by leading the nation in punt returning (512 yards, 2 TD/19.0 avg) and notching more than 25 yards per kick return. 4. Charlie Spiller, Alcorn State (Sr., 6-0, 185) - Spiller used his big-play ability as a kick returner for the first time, and made it pay dividends for the Braves with two touchdowns and more than 27 yards per return. 5. Mike Malone, Western Carolina (Jr., 5-10, 175) - Malone averaged more than 31 yards and scored a touchdown in his first campaign as the Catamount kick returner. Mid-Major: Feldman Punters 1. David Simonhoff, Southeast Missouri State (Sr., 6-2, 200) - Simonhoff set an OVC record and earned second-team All-America honors in 2004 by averaging 46 yards per punt, and finished fifth nationally with a 42.8 average a year ago. 2. Christian Koegel, Massachusetts (Sr., 6-0, 185) - Koegel was a third-team All-American in 2005 as he averaged 43 yards per punt, and he holds the Massachusetts career mark for punting average going into his senior season. 3. Wesley Taylor, Florida A & M (Jr., 5-7, 170) - Taylor blasted 59 punts for 2,707 yards to lead the nation with a 45.9 yard average a year ago. 4. Tim Mayse, Western Carolina (Sr., 5-11, 225) - Mayse averaged nearly 42 yards on 49 punts, and also notched a 56.0 average on kickoffs for the Catamounts. 5. Tim Chicione, Cal Poly (Jr., 6-0, 185) - Chicione averaged 42.3 yards on his 64 punts, and placed 16 kicks inside the 20 while garnering 10 touchbacks. Mid-Major: Piotr Czech, Wagner.